Dunlap-Donna Grigg passed peacefully at Cornerstone Hospice in The Villages, FL on 23 Jan 2025, surrounded by her 3 children: Stephanie Bussey (John Riter)-The Villages, FL; Walter (Trip) Bussey-Atlanta, GA; Maria (Malson) McCormack (Tim)-Tappan, NY. She was predeceased by her parents, husbands Walter Bussey, Don Malson & Fred Grigg; son Todd Malson, aunts Hazel (Gayer) Holiday & Jean (Malley) Martin & husband, Bill.
Born in Bay City, MI, Donna was the only child of Donn W. & Edna “Marion” (Malley) Gayer of Monmouth, IL. She graduate from Thomas Jefferson High School, Richmond, VA with her lifelong friend Faye.
In 1959, Donna married Walt Bussey & had 2 children: Steffi and Trip. Donna then married Don Malson & had 2 more children: Michael “Todd” and Maria. They moved to Rome, IL & lived through several Illinois River floods!
Donna & Fred Grigg were married 35 years, she often said Fred was the “love of her life”. Donna helped establish the Bridlewood Stables Cooperative in West Peoria. Some of her happiest years were spent with Cathie, Amy, Joan & all the families who boarded horses, or took lessons at Bridlewood. She rode horses well into her 60’s.
With Fred’s retirement, the Griggs moved to Mt. Ida, AR. Donna became a Montgomery County Master Gardener, tending & managing several projects in & around Mt. Ida.
Donna loved to travel-with Stephanie in Beijing, Singapore & Amsterdam; Trip in Dallas & Las Vegas; Maria in Washington, New York, Czechoslovakia & Yekaterinburg, Russia.
Donna will be greatly missed by her 4 grandchildren: Teigue, Andy & Clare McCormack; Garrett Bussey (Taylor); great grandchild Dylan Bussey; cousins Skip (Diana) Martin & Dick (Mary Lynn) Martin in CA; James Malley (Marilyn) in IL.
Memorials may be made to Bridlewood Stables Cooperative, Attn: Cathie Trent, 4619 W. Cedar Hills Drive, Dunlap, IL 61525.